Table 1.

Summary table of reminiscence therapy.

Study	Reminiscence therapy approach	Reminiscence therapy components	Who delivers reminiscence therapy (level of training & supervision provided)	How is reminiscence therapy delivered (length, frequency and follow-up sessions)	Programme/model used & theoretical underpinning
Akanuma et al. (2011) a	GRA-RO	Following greetings and RO (time and place), the GRA (50 minutes) commenced. Discussions centred around participants’ past (childhood memories, toys, schooldays, jobs, marriage etc.) and a song was sang to close the session	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: 1 nurse and 3 specialists (psychologist, speech therapist and occupational therapist) Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1 hour group sessions Frequency of sessions: 1 session a week for 12 weeks Total: 12 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: geriatric nursing home	Programme/model used: It was not possible to retrieve a translated copy. For this reason, the review cannot provide further details Theoretical underpinning: Brief reference to Butler’s work on ‘life review process’ (Butler, 1963)
Amieva et al. (2016) a	GRA	Each session of reminiscence therapy focused on a different personal theme (schooldays, birthday, wedding, working life, holidays etc.) Caregivers were encouraged to contribute with materials (pictures etc.) brought from home	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Psychologists Level of training: 3 day training session Level of supervision: Consultations available. Adherence to reminiscence therapy protocol reviewed	Length of sessions: 1 hour 30 minutes group sessions Frequency of sessions: 1 session a week for 12 weeks Total: 18 hours Follow-up sessions: Maintenance sessions held every 6 weeks for 21 months Location of sessions: Memory centres or geriatric day-care units	Programme/model used: Not reported Theoretical underpinning: Brief reference to Butler’s work on ‘life review process’ (Butler, 1963)
Azcurra (2012) a	GRA	Memory triggers (photographs, recordings and newspaper clippings) used to promote personal and shared memories and discussions. Different themes were explored (childhood, marriages etc.) Occasionally caregivers joined sessions	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Psychologists Level of training: 15 training sessions (30.4 hours) Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1 hour group sessions Frequency of sessions: 2 sessions a week for 12 weeks Total: 24 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Nursing home	Programme/model used: Not reported Theoretical underpinning: ‘The theoretical framework of the use of reminiscence therapy with Alzheimer’s disease aligns with person-centred principles incorporating the subjective viewpoint of the person with dementia, thereby promoting a collaborative and inclusive approach to the treatment of these patients’ (Nolan et al., 2008)
Baines et al. (1987) a	GRA	Six audio/slide programmes designed to facilitate reminiscence, including old photographs of local scenes, personal photographs, books, etc	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Staff members and a research Clinical Psychologist Level of training: 6 hours Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 0.5 hour Frequency of sessions: 5 days per week for 4 weeks Total: 10 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Home for the elderly	Programme/model used: reminiscence therapy sessions were based on the format suggested by Norris (1986). Six audio/slide programmes designed to facilitate reminiscence, old photographs of local scenes, residents’ personal photographs, books, magazines, newspapers and domestic articles Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Charlesworth et al. (2016) a	GRA for people with dementia and their carers (RYCT programme)	Themes across the lifespan explored using triggers and activities, such as group discussions During 4 sessions, carers met separately for approx. 45 minutes to develop listening and communication skills	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Not reported Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 2 hours Frequency of sessions: 1 session a week for 12 weeks Total: 24 hours Follow-up sessions: Monthly sessions for 7 months, (total of 19 sessions over 10 months) Location of sessions: Community settings	Programme/model used: RYCT programme (Schweitzer & Bruce, 2008) Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Goldwasser et al. (1987)	GRA	Reminiscence therapy topics included (1) foods, cooking, (2) Family relationships, early memories, (3) personal artifacts, (4) jobs, (5) songs, music, (6) firsts – first dates, first movie etc., (7) adjustments, losses, (8) celebrations, (9) legacies and (10) review, debriefing, termination	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Graduate student in clinical psychology who was working in the care home as a clergyman and a volunteer social worker Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 0.5 hour Frequency of sessions: 2 sessions a week for 5 weeks Total: 5 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Care home	Programme/model used: Not reported Theoretical underpinning: Briefly referenced Butler’s (1963) life review
Gonzalez et al. (2015) a	Group integrative reminiscence therapy	In each session, all the life stages (childhood, youth, adulthood and current old age) were worked on using different topics Two activities are performed using specific elicitors (music, images, objects etc.) to evoke memories	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Psychologist Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session a week for 10 weeks Total: 10 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Nursing home	Programme/model used: Program based on earlier research by Melendez et al. (2013) Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Haight et al. (2006) a	Individual life review with the production of a life story book	Themes relating to childhood, family, home and adulthood explored Individual supported to evaluate the way their life was lived overall. A life story book is constructed	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Care staff Level of training: Initial 2 to 10 hours of ongoing training (supervision) Level of supervision: Weekly supervision (10 hours ongoing training)	Length of sessions: 1 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session a week for 6 weeks Total: 6 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Care home	Programme/model used: LREF was utilised (Haight & Bahr, 1984) Theoretical underpinning: Reference made to personhood (Kitwood, 1997)
Hsieh et al. (2010) a	GRA	Life span issues explored. Participants used old photos, albums or meaningful materials to use when they shared their personal life experiences on friendship, work experience, significant events etc	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Geriatric psychiatric nursing Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 40–50 minutes Frequency of sessions: 1 session a week for 12 weeks Total: 8–10 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Nursing home	Programme/model used: The intervention was derived inductively from nursing textbooks, care planning guides and nursing information systems Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Ito et al. (2007) a	GRA	Following RO (time & place), sessions focused on childhood memories, epoch-making events in one’s life and seasonal events in the past. Sang a song to close the session	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Care provider and 3 specialists (chosen from a psychologist, 2 speech therapists, 3 occupational therapists, 3 medical social workers and a nurse) Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session a week for 12 weeks Total: 12 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Nursing home	Programme/model used: GRA-RO protocol was based on that proposed by Akanuma et al. (2006) Theoretical underpinning: Reference made to Butler’s (1963) Life review
Lai et al. (2004) a	Individual reminiscence therapy (specific reminiscence and life story)	The contents of a life story book as proposed by Hellen (1998) were adopted. Several concepts were modified, for example ‘genealogy’ was too broad and changed to ‘family and roots’. Further detail was not provided	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Research assistants (included 3 social workers and 1 occupational therapist with substantial experience with either older people or dementia or intellectual impairment) and care workers Level of training: Research assistants: 19.3 hours Care workers: 4+ hour Level of supervision: Two experts reviewed videotaped recordings of the intervention and control group conducted by each research assistant	Length of sessions: 0.5 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session per week for 6 weeks Total: 3 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Nursing home	Programme/model used: The contents of a life story book as proposed by Hellen (1998) were adopted. Several concepts were modified, for example ‘genealogy’ was too broad and changed to ‘family and roots’ Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Melendez et al. (2015) a	GRA	All the life stages (childhood, young adulthood and current elderly stage) explored. Activities and triggers utilised to evoke memories (music, images, objects etc.)	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Psychologist Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 0.5 hour Frequency of sessions: 2 sessions per week for 10 weeks Total: 10 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Day centre	Programme/model used: Programme based on earlier research by Melendez et al. (2013) Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Morgan and Woods (2012) a	Structured individual life review	Chronologically participants explore life stages (early childhood, teenage years and adulthood) to support the evaluation of their life A life story book was developed by the therapist between sessions and used as the intervention proceeded	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Clinical psychologist in her final year of a doctoral training programme Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Under the supervision of an experienced clinical psychologist	Length of sessions: 0.5–1 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session per week for 12 weeks (or more depending on progress through the LREF, Haight 1992) Total: 6–12 hours Follow-up sessions: Yes – number not specified Location of sessions: Care home	Programme/model used: Life review was closely based on Haight’s Life Review model and in particular the LREF (Haight, 1992) Theoretical underpinning: Brief reference to Butler’s (1963) life review and Erikson’s (1950) model of life-span development
O’Shea et al. (2014) a	GRA (DARES)	Staff in the intervention sites were trained to incorporate reminiscence strategies when developing care plans. The aim was to use reminiscence on at least 4 occasions per week	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Nursing and health care assistant staff from the care homes Level of training: 3 days Level of supervision: Telephone support and one on-site visit	Length of sessions: Not reported Frequency of sessions: 3–4 sessions per week for a mean of 14 weeks (range 12–17 weeks) Total: could not be determined Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Care home	Programme/model used: DARES (Cooney et al., 2013) Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Särkämö et al. (2013) a	Music listening and reminiscing in a group setting	The singing group sang songs and performed vocal exercises and rhythmical movements. Different themes explored The music listening group listened to songs and discussed emotions, thoughts and memories. Visual cues were used to stimulate reminiscence and discussion. Different themes explored	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Trained music teacher or music therapist Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1.5 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session per week for 10 weeks Total: 15 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Day centre	Programme/model used: Not reported Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Subramaniam et al. (2014) a	Individual Life review/life story book (participants were involved in the creation)	Life review group developed their own life story book. Each life story book recounted the life story of the participant in chronological order Relatives in the gift group worked over the 12-week period without involving the person with dementia to develop a life story book	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Qualified clinical psychologist from Malaysia undertaking doctoral studies in the UK Level of training: 3 months Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session a week for 12 weeks. Mean of 12 sessions (range 11–16) Total: 12 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Care home	Programme/model used: The life review intervention was based on Haight’s Life Review model and LREF (Haight, 1992) Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Tadaka and Kanagawa (2007a) (AD) a	GRA	Themes and prompts used to prompt discussions and stimulate memories	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: 1 care worker and 2 specialists (public health nurses or clinical psychologists who had MA or PhD degrees and several years of dementia care experience) Level of training: Trained in the reminiscence therapy group programme Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1–1.5 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session per week for 8 weeks Total: 8–12 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Day centre	Programme/model used: Not reported Theoretical underpinning: Butler’s (1963) ‘theory of life review’
Tadaka and Kanagawa (2007b) (VD) a	Structured GRA	Themes and prompts used to prompt discussions and stimulate memories	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: 1 care worker and 2 specialists (public health nurses or clinical psychologists who had MA or PhD degrees and several years of dementia care experience) Level of training: Trained in the reminiscence therapy group programme Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1–1.5 hour Frequency of sessions: 1 session per week for 8 weeks Total: 8–12 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Day centre	Programme/model used: Not reported Theoretical underpinning: Butler’s (1963) ‘theory of life review’
Thorgrimsen et al. (2002) a	Joint reminiscence groups for the person with dementia and their carers (RYCT)	Slides and enlarged personal photographs, music and dance, dramatising memories, celebration of special events and outings were utilised Carer sessions focused on communication skills and knowledge. For the carer/person with dementia dyad, the sessions included ‘the place where I grew up’, ‘school days’, ‘the world of work’ and ‘dressing-up and looking good’	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Not reported Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: Not reported Frequency of sessions: 1 session per week for 18 weeks, 11 of which were attended only by the informal carers and the volunteers involved in the project Total: could not be determined Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Reminiscence centre	Programme/model used: RYCT based on the standardised manual Reminiscing with People with Dementia – A Handbook for Carers (Bruce et al., 1999) Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Van Bogaert et al. (2016) a	Individual reminiscence therapy based on the SolCos Model	Memory boxes for each theme were created using personal items, goods and images. Themes included family, profession, holiday and games	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: Trained nursing home volunteers Level of training: Not reported Level of supervision: ‘Support and advice’	Length of sessions: 0.75 hour Frequency of sessions: 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks Total: 12 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Participants room/private lounge in care home	Programme/model used: Standardised, individualised intervention based on the SolCos transformational reminiscence model on depressive symptoms for people with mild-to-moderate dementia Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Woods et al. (2012) a	Joint reminiscence groups for the person with dementia and their carer (RYCT)	Themes explored (childhood, schooldays, working life, marriage, holidays and journeys). Personal materials were utilised along with activities (art, cooking, physical re-enactment of memories, singing and oral reminiscence) Occasionally separate activities were arranged for carers to share experiences and ask questions	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: 2 facilitators (OT, mental health nurses, clinical psychologist, arts workers and community support workers) plus trained volunteers Level of training: 2 × half day training sessions Level of supervision: The creator of RYCT was available for consultation throughout the programme	Length of sessions: 2 hours Frequency of sessions: 1 session per week for 12 weeks Total: 24 hours Follow-up sessions: 1 maintenance session per month for 7 months Location of sessions: Community centre or museum	Programme/model used: RYCT (Schweitzer & Bruce, 2008) Theoretical underpinning: Not reported
Yamagami et al. (2012)	GRA-RO	Following RO (time and place), old tools (rice kettle, beanbags for juggling and old text books) were utilised. Objects were used to recall memories and discussions	Who delivers reminiscence therapy: 1 leader and 2 vice leaders per group (occupation not reported) Level of training: 4 hours Level of supervision: Not reported	Length of sessions: 1 hour Frequency of sessions: 2 sessions per week for 12 weeks Total: 24 hours Follow-up sessions: Not reported Location of sessions: Care home	Programme/model used: Based on the principles of brain-activating rehabilitation (Yamaguchi et al., 2010) Theoretical underpinning: Not reported

RYCR: Remembering Yesterday Caring for Today; LREF: Life Review Experiencing Form; DARES: Dementia Education Programme Incorporating Reminiscence for Staff; GRA-RO: Group reminiscence therapy with reality orientation.

^aThose studies where it was possible to contact the authors for more details on the programme/model used.